Papa G’s in Elburn to get new owners next month

ELBURN – One of the village’s most prominent eateries will get new ownership.

George Kanakaris, owner of Papa G’s restaurant, confirmed he has reached a deal to sell the restaurant. Kanakaris declined to identify the new owners, but he said he will no longer play a role in running the business.

“We’re not closing,” Kanakaris said. “There’s some new people coming in to take it over, some completely new owners.

“Until then, we’re going to be opening every day and working at full speed.”

He said the owners will assume control of operations March 11.

Kanakaris opened the restaurant in the late 1990s in the 200 block of South Main Street (Route 47) in Elburn. He has worked with his family in restaurants and food service his adult life since immigrating from Greece decades ago.

Kanakaris said he intends to leave Elburn and retire to spend time with his family.

“I got tired of working,” he said, noting the long hours that are required each day of restaurant owners.

Kanakaris had a part in the operations of several restaurants in and near Kane County in recent years.

In addition to the Elburn establishment, Kanakaris owned and operated Papa G’s in Huntley, while he worked with his son, Niko, to run the former Niko’s Lodge restaurant on Route 64 west of St. Charles and Niko’s restaurant on Freeman Road in Huntley.

The Huntley Papa G’s is under new ownership, the Huntley Niko’s closed and the Niko’s Lodge on Route 64 came under new ownership in recent months.

George Kanakaris began attempting to sell Papa G’s in 2009, when he placed the restaurant site on the market.

When Papa G’s opens under new ownership, it will become the latest iconic Kaneland-area restaurant to change hands.

Last year, a Big Rock couple purchased the Fishermen’s Inn south of Elburn on Main Street Road at Route 47. They have said they intend to reopen the restaurant later this year. Fishermen’s Inn has been closed since 2009.